Entries by KMEA

Biden-Harris Administration Invests Over $200 Million in States and Tribal Nations to Modernize America’s Electrical Grid

As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced nine states and three tribal nations as the third cohort to receive a combined total of $207.6 million in Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants. Supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office, these grants will help modernize the electric grid to reduce impacts of climate-driven extreme weather and natural disasters while also ensuring power sector reliability. This funding will ensure all communities have access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity while helping deliver on the President’s ambitious clean energy goals.

Solar for All

On June 28, 2023, EPA released the $7 billion Solar for All Notice of Funding Opportunity. Through this competition, Solar for All will award up to 60 grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits to expand the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities primed for residential solar investment—enabling millions of low-income households to access affordable, resilient, and clean solar energy.

Barry Hodges received the APPA’s Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award

Barry Hodges, City Clerk/Administrator of the city of Minneapolis was awarded the Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award at the American Public Power Association’s annual conference held in Seattle, Washington.  This award recognizes managers of small utilities serving fewer than 2,500 meters. These managers have a very small staff and must assume multiple roles.  Congratulations to Barry for his recognition of the Larry Hobart Seven Hats award.

Mike Muirhead receives APPA’s Mark Crisson Leadership and Managerial Excellence Award

Mike Muirhead, Director of Public Works and Utilities for Garden City received the Mark Crisson Leadership and Managerial Excellence Award as part of the American Public Power Association’s annual conference held in Seattle, Washington.  This award recognizes managers at a utility, joint action agency, or state or regional association who steer their organizations to new levels of excellence, lead by example, and inspire staff to do better. 

2023 Golf Outing and Joint EMP Meeting

The 2023 Golf Outing and Joint EMP meeting took place on June 7th and 8th in Salina, KS. We had 29 golfers participate in the Golf Outing at Lindsborg Golf Club.

On Thursday morning prior to the Joint EMP meeting some members toured the Sunbelt Solomon Transformer Facility in Solomon, KS.

The City of Lincoln is Hiring City Superintendent

 Position Summary  Under the Governing Body’s supervision, the City Superintendent supervises and participates in the construction and maintenance of municipal public works. This is administrative work concerned with the development, construction and maintenance of varied public works activities.  The employee of this class supervises the city’s divisions of street and park maintenance, sewage treatment, electrical […]

Infrastructure Grant Webinar set for June 22

Infrastructure Grant Webinar is set for Thursday, June 22 at 11 am. The topics include:
• New USDA Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) Program (open now!)
• Upcoming Round of Resiliency Funding through the FEAM Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program
• Outlook for Round II of Programs Created through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

FERC aims to fix the grid’s renewable energy backlog. Can it?

n the fall of 2007, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission raised concerns about how to manage the unprecedented number of renewable energy projects seeking to connect to the U.S. grid.

The agency is still grappling with the issue more than 15 years later — except now, the problem is worse, and the stakes are higher.

FERC is preparing to issue a final rule changing how new energy projects connect to the grid, a top priority for acting Chair Willie Phillips. The commission outlined a proposed rule on the topic last year, with a goal of more efficiently linking up planned solar, wind and battery storage projects, as well as reducing energy costs and making the power grid more reliable.

The City of Ottawa is Hiring Electric Production Operator I

The Electric Production Operator I performs duties in the City’s electric generation and electrical distribution substations. The employee in this position is responsible for maintaining continuous and stable operation of the generators in the plant while monitoring the City’s connections with other electric utility systems and delivering the necessary electrical power to the City of Ottawa’s customers. The Electric Production Operator I will monitor equipment operations for possible malfunctions and take corrective action should a malfunction occur. Must be able to work rotating shifts, some overtime maybe required along with on call duties. A combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. High school diploma or equivalent; technical degree or some college credit in a related field preferred. Minimum of one year of electric production operation and mechanical experience preferred. Must maintain a valid driver’s license.

Competitive wage and benefits package. Wage range for this position is $17.43 to $24.41 per hour. EOE.

City of Ottawa is Hiring Journey Level Lineman

The City of Ottawa, Kansas is recruiting for a Journey Level Lineman.  The Journey Level Lineman performs skilled work in the construction and maintenance of the electric distribution system for the City of Ottawa. The employee in this position is responsible for exercising judgment as to the details of assigned work within prescribed operating procedures. The Journey Level Lineman is responsible for maintenance of power lines, electrical equipment, and transformers. Work is performed according to departmental procedures, practices, and safety regulations. A combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. High school diploma or equivalent. Minimum of five years of experience with a construction crew on electrical distribution, including four years in an approved apprentice program. Must maintain a valid Kansas CDL.